Tech 60

2.3.2.1 Course Outcomes

GUE’s Tech 60 course is designed for divers who want to explore the intermediate realm between Tech 1 and Tech 2. It trains them in the use of a bottom stage or second decompression cylinder which grants them more flexibility during multiple dives and/or longer bottom times. Additional outcomes include: gas planning during longer dives, bottle management, emergency management strategies and decompression considerations during longer bottom times.

2.3.2.2 Prerequisites

Applicants for GUE’s Tech 60 must:

  1. Submit a completed registration form, a medical history, and a liability release to GUE

    Headquarters.

  2. Be physically and mentally fit.

  3. Hold insurance that will cover diving emergencies such as hyperbaric treatment, e.g.

    DAN Master-level insurance or equivalent.

  4. Be a nonsmoker.

  5. Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for the use of prescription drugs, except

    for birth control, or for any prior medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.

  6. Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

  7. Be a certified GUE Tech 1 Diver.

  8. Must have a minimum of 25 logged technical dives beyond Tech 1 certification.

2.3.2.3 Course Content

The Tech 60 course is normally conducted over four full days, and requires at least seven dives and a minimum 30 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom, land drills, and in-water work.

2.3.2.4 Tech 60 Specific Training Standards

  1. Student-to-instructor ratio is not to exceed 6:1 during land drill or surface exercises, but cannot exceed 3:1 during any direct in-water training.

  2. Maximum depth 200 feet/60 meters.

  3. If conducted in a cave, trainees must be at least GUE Cave 2 certified divers;

    instructors must also be active GUE Cave 2 instructors.

  4. Dives should not be planned to incur more than 45 minutes of decompression time

    as established by GUE’s DecoPlanner.

2.3.2.5 Required Training Materials

GUE training materials and recommended reading as determined by the course study packet received via online download after GUE course registration.

2.3.2.6 Academic Topics

  1. Introduction: GUE organization and course overview (objectives, limits, expectations)

  2. Gas management

  3. Equipment configuration

  4. Decompression strategies

  5. Contingency planning

2.3.2.7 Land Drills and Topics

  1. Gas switch procedures

  2. Failed/lost decompression gas strategies

2.3.2.8 Required Dive Skills and Drills

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in safe diving techniques; this would include pre-dive preparations, in-water activity, and post-dive assessment.

  2. Demonstrate awareness of team member location and concern for safety, responding quickly to visual indications and dive partner needs.

  3. Demonstrate a safe and responsible demeanor throughout all training.

  4. Demonstrate proficiency in underwater communication.

  5. Demonstrate basic proficiency managing the GUE base equipment configuration.

  6. Demonstrate good buoyancy and trim, i.e. approximate reference is a maximum of

    20 degrees off horizontal while remaining within 3 feet/1 meter of a target depth.

  7. Demonstrate safe ascent and descent procedures.

  8. Demonstrate proficiency in the management of stage and decompression cylinders.

  9. Demonstrate proper protocol when switching from one gas source to another.

  10. Demonstrate the ability to manage a failed or lost decompression gas.

  11. Demonstrate proficiency with effective decompression techniques, including depth

    and time management.

2.3.2.9 Equipment Requirements

GUE base configuration as outlined in Appendix A, plus: 1. GUE double tank configuration
2. Primary and back-up lights
3. Decompression cylinder

4. Bottom gas cylinder
5. Small argon regulator and bottle where appropriate 6. One primary reel per team

Prior to the commencement of class, students should consult with a GUE representative to verify equipment requirements and appropriateness of any selected equipment.